Soot cleaner for boilers



Aug; 23, 1932.

T. M* BRUBACK SOOT CLEANER FOR BOILERS Filed D90. 20. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l By A torneys,

Filed Dec. 20, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR z e .Mw/, By ltorneys,

Aug Z3, 1932 T. M. BRUBACK 1,873,282A

SOOT CLEANER FOR BOILRS Filed Dec. 20, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 e, VK

U1' H l yBy Attorneys,

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 THEODORE M. Bananen, 0E Dri V1301s,A PENNSYLVANIA 'sooT CLEANER EOE BoILERs' i' Application tiled.V December 20, 1927. Serial 241,291,

, p rlhis invention relates to soot cleaners for boilers, and aims to provide certain improvements therein. A

. In this type of apparatus -it is customary I to introduce into the boiler at various points la series of cleaner elements, each comprisinol a pipe extending across the banks of tubes, thepipe being provided with nozzles through which steam is admitted to the boiler to clean the tubes, andthe cleaner elements being provided with means for rotating them through an arc of'a circle in order that the Vjets may sweep as many tubes as desired. Means are usually provided for opening'and closing the valve which controls the iiow of steam to the cleaner elements and in certain types ofapparatus the cleaner element is rotated by the same mechanislnwhieh opens and closes the valve. f

My invention relates to a device of this type in which the steam valve is in the nature of a poppet valve, that is to say, one which moves axially toward and from its seat. AIn other devices of this character the valve is seated by a spring and unseated by a cam, with the result that foreign matter lodges on the seat and is apt to produce leal;- age, since the powerY of the spring is notsuf ficient to crush such foreign matter. According to my invention the valve is closed under screw pressure7 so that a powerful force can be directed against the valve Vseat by the valve, thus destroying any particles of matter which may become lodged on the scat and insuring a tioht valve under all conditions. According to the present invention in its preferred form the cleaner is turned by the valve-operating mechanism with the result that the initial movementof the driving member (which is usually loperated by hand) opens the valve and continued movements in the same direction rotate the clean; er. In the preferred form `the valve rapidly arrives at its fully open position, and continues to move away from its seat with an idle movement, during which'thefcleaneris operative. The'inven'tion includes other fea# tures of jconstruct-ion which will be he'rein'f. after `more fully described. v Y

Referring to the drawings which show eral forms of the inventionf-4 yliigure l is va longitudinal section of one formof the device.` v Fig, 2 is a 'cross-section on the line'2-2 in Fig. l. Fig. Fig. 1. F Fig. et is a cross-section on the line 414-4 in ig. 1. M

Fig. 5 is alongitu'dinalsection of another form of the invention.A

Referring to the drawings, let indi'ca-te the usual 'boiler setting having an'opening which is lined b-y a boX B. [Extending through this opening is a tubular member C which may lbe considered'as ua part Yof the cleaner element. Projecting toward the'right from the element C is a screw-threaded sleeve D forminga rcontinuation `of the cleaner element and screwed on the sleeve D is anipple E to which is attached with a leakntightjoint an extension piece F which turnswith the element. To the nipple E is attached a valve seat G which is controlled `by a valve I-I mounted upon a valve stem I. The valve'I-I is of the poppet type and isfopened and' closed by rectilinear motion `imparted to 4it-through thestemV I. i l 4 Y i' Thevalve stem I is operatedy by any suitable driving means (preferably 'p hand-actuated) such las the sheave wheelJ shown, the latter being connected vwith a screw-threaded sleeve or nut K, so lthat when the wheel is turned 3 is a cross-section on the lineB- in 4by'a chain orthelike the sleeve is also turned', e

thereby moving the stem backward and forwardV and opening and closing the valve,

v The valve isY so proportioned and con` struct-ed that a small movement away from PATENT;am;

its seat will admit `sufficient steam to the vcleaner to effectively clean the boilerso that seat, which movement is continued until the Y cleaner approaches close to its initial position, whereupon the valve becomes effective to close the steam passage.

' In order that'V when the sheave turned theA valve stem l 4shall not turn vunduly with it, I provide thek stem with a guide L which is shown as having` slots M engaging guide ways N -iiXedly secured to the extension F. By this means whiley theV stemvI `may rotate slightly because of the movement of the eX- tension, nevertheless suchA movement isvneg-i ligible so far as proper operation of the valveV is concerned. Other means may be employedY for preventingundue rotary movement of the valve `on'the stem.

stemV if desired. It is preferred to 'swivel the valve H to the stem I, soy that any'slight rotary movement of theY stem need not be transmitted to the valve. Thisis shown as accomplished4 in the present Vconstruction by means of ka flange O on lthefstemfwhich is Y engaged by a collar P on the valve, the parts somewhat loosely connected and yperbeine,

holding the mitting swivelling while still Steam may be led to the interior of the eX- tension F, through asteam chamber Q, fedV by a steam pipe R', as best seen in Fig. l. A

suitable stufhng box Sis provided to prevent leakage'around the exterior of the extensionV F where it enters the chamber Q. l

- `Since in the preferred form of the valveoperating'device continues to open thefvalve` during the turning movement of the cleaner which is to be described, the movement of thesteni maybe used as a stop means for lim- Qaround the stem I.,A Y I Y in the invention in itsY iting the rotation of the cleaner. This is very simply accomplished in the present construction by the introduction of a sleeveT which may be of any length suited to the indifV vidual installation.. When the guide Lon the outward movement ofv thelvalve strikes the sleeve T (which bears against a wall on the chamber Q) further rotation of the sheave is'prevented and consequently further rotation of the cleaner element is alsoV stopped. -The (direction of pullon the sheave is fthen reversed, soV that the latter'turns in an opposite direction until thevalve againmeets its seat.A A' suitable stufling box IAis provided to Lprevent leakage from therchamber As before stated, preferred formthe valve-operating mecha- Y nism also operates to turn the cleaner element.V

This result is accomplished by .means of a vgear train connecting theV screw-threaded 6.)

sleeve K with the nipple D. As shown, such train comprises a pinion U mounted upon the screw-threaded sleeve K which meshes with a gear V carried'upon one end of a shaft W, which shaft at its opposite'end is formed with gear teeth to constitute a pinion X which meshes with a gear Y fixed to the part D. The

. proportions of the gears constituting the gear train are such that it will require a number `of revolutionsV of the sheave wheel to produce af'single rotation of the cleaner element C. The actual number of revolutions required willdepend upon individual installations,

but an average'ratio of 17 or'l8to l between.

the sheave wheel and the cleaner element secures .satisfactory results. Y Y

In operation whenV thefsheave wheel' is turned to the left one or two turns, the valve is opened sufficiently to admit a Vsubstantially full head'of steam. During this time the cleaner is rotating slightly and when the valve vis, opened takes up vits effectiveoperation of'cleaning the tubes.

Continued turning of the sheave wheel to the Vleft'results in a further opening of the valve which, how- Y ever, is an idle movement while the cleaner element is'passing through its arc of effective cleaning, and this continues until the guide L engages the sleeve *Tf whereupon further movement is prevented. l Thesheave -wheel is then' turnedto'the right, the valve moving toward its closed position and the cleaner element reversing its direction of movement, the return sweep of the kcleaner element being effective for cleaning purposes until the valve has approached 'closel to its4 seat, whereupon the full head of steam is cut down quickly until the valve is closed. lheY action of the valve is positive and it maybe closedwith any force required so that if dirt orfrust lodgeszon Athe valve seat, it may be crushed by the `valve andV a tightv j oint/ always made. The movements of the various parts are sim-V ple and positive, since -there are no. catches or other operating devices involved in the system.` During the intervalsvbetween operaplate F bolted to the lining B.1 vThis'provides a'spring mounting for the cleaner eleinentnvwhich issubstantially air tightv and which permits automatic adjustment of the cleaner with relation .to Vthe boiler'casing' as the latter .may be 'affectedY by expansion orV contraction. v

A ball ,bearing G is preferably introduced I between thenipple E anda plate H so as to assist in the easy turning of the cleaner ele-V ment. The plate'I-I serves as a partial h'ousing for the gear Y,the housing being coinpleted by a thinplate I which is screwed lto the plate I'I. 'Ihe plates H and I are so constructed as to also house the pinion X.

The steam chamber Q is bolted to the plate H by several bolts J Jwhile the opposite side of the chamber Q is provided with an extension K which may be integral with a plate L which serves as a bearing for the shaft W and also assists in enclosing the gears Uand V. The housing for these gearsV is completed by a plate M fastened to the plate L by bolts N.

vBy the construction j ust described all of the gearing is enclosed and protected while at the same time it is easily accessible fory inspection and possible repairs.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a modification of my invention in which the sheave wheel A2 is iixed on the valve stem B2 which latter carries a screw C2 operating in a nut portion D2 Y of a bracket E2. VThe valve stem passes through a stuiing box F2 into a steam chamber G2 and carries a valve I-I.2 which is preferably swivelled to the stem. `The valve hence opens and closes by turning the sheave wheel, the valve arriving at its effective open position in one or two turns. Motion is communicated to the cleaner by means of a pinion I2 ixed to the stem B2 which engages a gear J 2 which has a broad face so that the pinion I2 which moves backward and forward with the valve stem will always engage the gear. The gear is mounted on a shaft K2 mounted at one end in a bearing in the bracket E2, and near the other end in a bracket L2. The shaft carries at its extreme end a pinion M2 meshing with a gear N2 which is mounted upon an extension O2 of the cleaner P2. The extension O2 leads through a stuffing box Q2 into an auxiliary steam chamber R2 which is connected to the main steam chamber G2 by oblique pipe S2. The auxiliary steam chamber is bolted to the bracket L2 by bolts T2.

The operation of this modification of my invention is substantially that of the form first described, namely, the sheave wheel is rotated in one direction to open the valve and upon a continuance of the rotation in the same direction the cleaner element is rotated by means of the gear train until the end of the desired arc of travel has been reached, whereupon the rotation of the sheave wheel is reversed, the valve moving towardits seat as the cleaner element turns toward its initial position and reaching its seat shortly after the end of the operative rotation of the cleaner. Various forms of stop device may be arranged to limit the arc, such as the stop U2 arranged on the gear N2 which engages a suitable abutment (not shown) when the desired amount of travel has been reached.

In constructing either of the devices herein described the proportions are preferably so arranged as to provide a maximum rotation ldifferent arcs of turning may be obtain of the cleaner element-,equal to ,substantiallyk 360. `'Ihis isseldom required, however, but any smaller degree of rotation can be eifected by the stops referred to.

While I have shown and described several forms of the invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. What Iclaim'is:

1. In .a boiler cleaner, a cleaner element,

vmeans `for `rotating the element, aseparate Yrectilinearly moving valve for controlling the supply of steam vto said element,a long screwposition, the parts being constructed to give i' the valve a ycontinuous idle movement beyond e its effective opening and closing movements andV to -close thevalveV positivel 2. The boiler cleaner of claim 1, in .which the valve seat'openng is in the direction'of extension of the cleaner, whereby theoperative mechanism maybe kept in line with the i cleaner. .Y

3. The boiler cleaner of claimy 1, in which the valve seatopening is'in the direction of extension of the cleaner and is mounted directlyl at `the end of the cleaner.

4;. The boiler cleaner of claimV 1, in which the valve has a long screw threaded stem and v a rotatable `nut for operating it, the valve stem being suihciently fixed against rotationVV to enforce a longitudinal movement of the valve stem when the nut isrotated. 5. Theboiler cleaner of claim l, in which the valve is mounted rotatively upon a screw threaded stem, and the stem vis substantially fixed against rotation, a nut being provided to move the stem longitudinally.

6. Ina boiler cleaner the combination of a cleaner element, a valve for controlling the passage of steam to said cleaner element,

ico

means for turning said lcleaner element, a Y

single means for opening and'closing said valve and operating said turning means, and

a stop device operating to limit the opening movement of said valvewhereby to determine the arc of rotation of said cleaner element,

said stop ldevice comprising a sleeve independent of the valvem'cving means', and removably associated with. said valve whereby varying thelength'of said sleeve.

7. In a boiler cleaner the combination of a vcleaner element having an extension, a plate y arranged near theend ofthe cleaner element, 7

edby

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a steam chamber oonnectedito said'plate, a

second plate connected to said steam chamber and forming a bearing for a threaded valve stein, a valve on said stem. Within said eX- tension, a valve vseat also Withinsaid eXtension controlled by said valve, a threaded nut engaging said stem, means for turning said Vvalve having a stem mounted AVparallelrvvith the axis of the cleaner element, a screw for t moving said valve axially toward and from its seat, a sheave Wheel for moving saidscrevg,

a pinion rotated by said sheave Wheel, a shaft .parallel with the cleaner element andrhaving afgear continuously inmesh With said pinion, a second .pinion on said shaft, continuously in n mesh With a gear on rsaid Cleaner element, and Asaid valve having an idle movement after opening during which the element is rotated, together with means for enclosing the several pinions. n j

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

, Y `Tiiiionoiui M. B'Riiisiieil i a'bearing for a threaded valvestern, a valve on said stem lWithin saidv extension, a valve I seat also Within said extension controlled by v said valve, a threaded nut engaging-said stein, means for turning said threaded nut.

to open and close the valve, and said threaded f 'Y u Ynut being connected by a gear train to said cleaner element and adapted to tur-n said ele- K ment during opening and closing of the valve,` and discs fXed to saidV plates and enclosing the Vgears in said gear train.

9. In a boiler cleaner-the combination of'a cleanerelement having an extension, a valve in said extension, a valvezstein carrying said valve, a steam chamber into Which said reX- tension projects, said Valve stem having` a threaded portion outside of said steam chainber, a rotatable nutnengaging saidthreaded portion, guides in said extension, a part carried. bythe valve stem and engaging said guides to prevent undue rotation oi said valve stem, a sheave Wheel for rotating said nut Wherebyfto reciprocate the -valve stein and valve, a. pinion on said threaded nut, a gear rotated by said pinion, a shaft rotated by said gear, a plate forming a bearing for said shaft, a pinion on the opposite end of said shaft, and a gear'connectedv With said cleaner .element land rotated by saidlast-narned pinion. f

l0. In a boiler cleaner, the combination of a cleaner element, a valve for 'controlling passage oi steam to the cleaner element,fsaid valve having a stein mounted parallel'with the axis oi. the `cleaner element, `a screw for moving said valve axially toward and from Yits seat, a shea-Ve'wheel forv moving said screw,

a pinion rotatedfby said sheave vvheeh'a shaft l Vparallel Witlithe cleaner elementand having a gear continuously in mesh With said pinion,

second .pinion on-said shaft, continuouslyV in mesh: With Vafgear on said cleaner element, and said valve having anid'le movement after opening during rwhich the element is rotated. `11.1In a'boile'r cleaner,y the combination of a cleaner element, a valve for controlling pas ,sa-ge of steam to the cleaner element,l said Y A 

